Use of laptops by teachers in a secondary school

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Use of laptops by teachers in a secondary school
Paul Quinn System Manager Goffs
School pqu_at_goffs.herts.sch.uk
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Laptops for Teachers

• One way of doing it.

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Advantages of Laptops?

• Make a list!
• Feedback.

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Biography Paul Quinn

• Scored a goal playing for Celtic at Celtic Park
• First time I flew in an aeroplane, I never landed
  in it!
• British Champion
• Dated a famous TV Soap Star

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Biography Goffs School

• 1200 students
• Curriculum Network RM Connect 2.4 Network 180
  stations
• Admin Network NT/2000 25 stations
• 72 Laptops connected to network (RMNETNT
  Server)

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Disadvantages of Laptops?

• Make another list!
• Can compare laptops to desktops
• Feedback

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Why did we do it?

• Investment in staff development
• Desire to be a leader in ICT developments
• Improve administration
• Improve communication
• Electronic Attendance

• Needed to upgrade existing administration network
• Funded over 3 years
• Develop student ICT ability via improved
  confidence of Staff using ICT

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What did we do at Goffs?

• Decided specification
• Evaluated alternative suppliers costs
• Decided and placed order (small first to check
  them out)
• Purchase LCD Projector
• Set up 4 laptops for SLT

• When happy with that placed big order
• Refined set up process
• Set up 70 laptops at end of summer holiday in
  time for INSET at start of term!

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Setting up a laptop

• Register to staff member
• Set up network connections good levels of
  security via Connect Server but NOT connect
  Stations
• Map network drives
• Admin Install Office via network
• Set up Proxy Server connection

• Install utilities virus checker, adobe, real
  player Set up and install SIMS
• Install Wireless card
• Set up network printing connection
• Produce Idiot Guide
• Deliver during INSET session!
• Set up sweepstake on first one to be broken!

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What staff do with them

• Complete NOF Training!
• Produce worksheets
• Work on class lists downloaded from SIMS
• Produce Powerpoint presentations for lessons
• Use Internet for research, material, lessons etc

• Allow Installation of subject specific software
  eg multimedia packages
• Send assessment work via network (eg interim
  effort grades)
• Science department use Data Logging
• Play DVDs and CDs!

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Knock on benefits for pupils

• One criteria must make at least one substantial
  use of ICT before end of year
• Transfer lesson/material to Intranet
• Produce and share resource/lesson plan with
  department

• Increased staff confidence with ICT means more
  opportunities for pupil use (more likely to use
  ICT in class)
• More dynamic lessons (eg multimedia presentation)
• Better resources for learning (eg via increased
  internet research)
• Pupils seem to like em!

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Drawbacks (or Things to bear in mind)

• Cost!
• Staff it takes all sorts!
• Teething problems with installations some
  crashes.
• Wide range of ICT ability from plug it in to
  no you cannot install Championship Manager
• Increase in number of machines to be managed

• Need good support/warranty certainly beyond year
  1
• Insurance issues
• Future developments may need to recall laptops
  in from time to time (eg SIMS upgrades
  electronic registration)
• INSET ongoing weekly top tips in Staff Bulletin

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Costs!

• Value for money is better than cheapest method
• Hidden costs can include support beyond year 1,
  insurance, software, additional cards (eg network
  cards)

• Rule of thumb - 1100 per machine
• Shop around you decide your specification
• USB ports/DVD/Card Slots/Network Port/Modem/TV
  Out
• Will provide list of options and websites
• Wireless networking for whole site approx 11,000

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Suppliers

• TCT Trust Hi Grade Computers ASUS Notino A1300
  Hi-Grade Specification.htm
• ABK Laptop Rental we use this option for
  parents wishing to get a computer
• Teachers1.htm
• Herts County Supplies
• Ballicom/Central Computers
• Research Machines
• Wireless Networking Advice via SITSS

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Back to you

• Make a checklist of reasons for investing in
  laptops

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How many did you get?

• Cost what can you afford?
• Key investment in staff development
• Recruiting tool
• Improved ICT skills for staff then pupils
• Administration access to SIMS modules,
  assessment, recording and reporting
• Communication between staff to parents and
  pupils (via email collaboration)
• Wireless networking electronic registration
• Mobile ICT classroom?
• Rental/Lease scheme extended to parents

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Any questions?
Paul Quinn System Manager Goffs
School pqu_at_goffs.herts.sch.uk